Celebrating Positive Male Role Models: Breaking the ‘Man Up’ Myth
Director’s Blog- Originally posted on LinkedIn on November 20, 2024 by Managing Director Lisa Charlotte Davis
Why Positive Male Role Models Matter
I love that this year’s International Men’s Day is focused on Positive Male Role Models, and I want to write a post celebrating one of the fab men who has supported Changing Relations C.I.C. pretty much since day dot.
But first, some context as to why we need positive male role models.
The image below is a work-in-progress textile piece co-produced by our former Artistic Director Pollyanna Turner with boys at King James I Academy. This piece developed from our Men’s Voices exhibition several years ago as we explored the mental health connotations of being a man in a society that expects you to “man up.” The lone figure in the artwork reflects how this expectation can create a deeply isolating experience.
This perception was reinforced during the consultation phase of our current Groundwork North East & Cumbria project. When we asked several boys whether youth violence was more common between boys, between girls, or between both, one boy replied:
“Mostly lads. Lads go through more stuff. Feel they can’t talk to no one. By yourself the whole time. Only way to release emotion is anger.”
For many reasons, this highlights how urgently we need to help young men understand that they don’t have to conform to damaging masculinity norms that pressure them to suppress their emotions.
The Power of Positive Male Role Models
One powerful way to challenge these harmful norms is through positive male role models — men who demonstrate emotional openness and empathy.
These are men who are willing to show sadness as well as anger. Men who talk openly about their mental health, seek support when they need it, and encourage others to do the same. Men who take an active role in co-parenting. Men who offer support when others show emotion or express difficulty rather than turning away in discomfort.
Simply being that kind of person can empower others to feel safe doing the same.
And so, for being “Mr Empath” this week, and for being a fab male role model in so many ways, this is a shout-out to our long-term Associate Artist, Rupert Philbrick.
You are fab! Thank you for being you.